Closed ~Opportunity Strikes only Once

[Zhou]

Opportunity Strikes Only Once~ It was the beginning of a new day for Zhou, looked up at the sunlight peering through his morning window. Looking to the sky he rolled wearily out of bed, forgetting the sheer drop he faced as he fell the foot and a half to the stone floor with a bump, and long delayed groan. The chiseled naked Inartan looked over to his clothes as he crawled the short distance to pants, grabbing them and rotating his body to allign with the leggings, not worrying about the scratching sensation he felt along the ground. After his pants were on, he felt a little more invigorated to begin the day, feeling the sun wash over himself as he lay on the stone of his room, his alabaster skin basked in the radiant glow of the sun. It was in these few moments he felt that surged energy like adrenaline through his body. He felt his tiredness fade and his eyes open wider, more focused and ready for the day. Rotating up to a seated position he spun himself towards the sun, crossing his legs and uttering a prayer. "Lady Syna, I pray that you watch over me today, and give me the clarity to meet my goals, but not only myself, I pray you do so for the world, that you may give them sight, and joy so that they might be happy. But I also thank you for the light you choose to give, we are truly thankful, for every moment you shine your light, so that the farmers may harvest, the children may play, and so that darkness doesn't rule out day. " After speaking he felt calm and collected, grabbing his hooded cloak he moved to exit his house, grabbing his short bow, quiver, sword and backpack filled with his traps, calls, general provisions and some of the preserved meat he had attained from his hunts. All slung onto his back as he left his home, looking like the hunter he had intended to become. Though he had still not heard word from the welcome center as to his job, he was hoping that soon he would be able to make a fair living and wage, seeing as all business in Sylira was owned by the knighthood so that capitol could be controlled. It was fair, but, Zhou could see some wandering merchants who preferred to make their fortune not enjoying the idea of having to work for a wage rather than their own capitol. But, in all honesty, Zhou never really understood the system, his father had explained it to him once or twice, but, economy was not the strong suit of an Inartan. It must have been through the Decade of his father working in this system that he had to learn it, and that was far longer than Zhou had, had. Walking into town, Zhou headed for the Tavern, for the morning, looking to hear of any jobs which were going around. Checking the village notice board on the way he saw nothing in particular which caught his eye... As he entered the well lit room he stretched high, feeling his muscles tense and relax as he lowered his arms. Zhou as always, was a presence. The shirtless slightly tattooed Inartan so far from home. His long red hair was platted and fitted with light coloured glass beads and feathers from local birds. arranged in such a way they swept backwards. After sitting down and asking for a drink of water, zhou asked the barkeep for any news. "Nothing really, other than a couple o' highwaymen which had been taken by the knights early this morning around the outskirts near Mithryn. Vagabonds... You'd think they would know better by now." Zhou thought to himself hard at hearing the news, highwaymen were career criminals... Theives and murderers who wandered the roads robbing everyone in their wake, and they're usually rather skilled individuals and duelists. They might still have some salvage at their camp if they hid it well... and surely there would be the menial stuff left by the knights, tents, and other useful items which could be salvaged and used, the knights would not be bothered hauling back every item of a theif's campsite, but, it would likely depend on the knight... But the wilds were dangerous, too dangerous to travel alone unless you were sticking to the hunting paths and shallow areas. But, a group of highway-men would probably be safe enough together to warrant being a little deeper. "So, do you know of anyone around here who might be up to going to check out the site? There might be some useful things there, and, without many theives around, I feel like there aren't many opportunists in Syliras." The barkeep laughed, telling Zhou that if there were people, he would have to find them on his own. "My days of a mercinary broker are over Zhou, sorry, You're on your own this time." A little disheartened, Zhou left, he hadn't exactly kept his voice down, so, more than likely others would have heard him... Waiting around outside the tavern near the bulletin board for the city, he would deliberate his next move.

[Garland]

Garland had just woken up, there were no off days for squires but today he can either train, or patrol and of course he would rather patrol, because he had spent his first week, training non stop. He needed to get out unless he wanted to get a little stir crazy. He picked up his clothes and quickly strapped on his armor over it. Of course if his Patron Knight had any other idea, he would be glad to tag along with her. She would usually be at the training grounds or at the stables. Usually armor is kept at the armory, but he forgot to return it yesterday. He walked out of the dormitory, the fresh morning air was just perfect.

Catherine made her way towards the dormitories with two horses in tow. "Garland, we got a job to do. There's been several highwaymen earlier, and we can take some of the supplies the first group of knights couldn't bring back. We can get some extra supplies. " Catherine said, she tossed the lead to her squire and rode off.

"W-wait! Supplies for what?!" Garland yelled, and clumsily clambered on his horse and tried his best to follow his patron.

[Lasken Tolstoy]

Lasken had been making his way to the local bulletin board outside the tavern, when he got there he noticed a most peculiar sight. There was a inartan who seemed to be waiting by the board. Lasken stopped and started to think and analyze the possibilities of why the man was there. Theif perhaps? no unlikely guards would have dealed with him by now. Mercenary? doubtful he is equipped well but isn't wearing much in the way of defense. Drunk? no looks fairly sober. Aha! he's an adventurer probably waiting for someone to help him out on a quest of some sorts and were there's adventurers there's treasure sweet beautiful glorious treasure. It was decided now Lasken would go over and introduce himself. "Hello sir Lasken Tolstoy at your service and I couldn't help but noticed you look like you might need some help with something yes?"

[Zhou]

Zhou looked up, surprise lit his face a little as he saw the man who had wandered toward him. Looking up to the sun, not bothering to shield his eyes, he whispered a grateful 'thank you' as the man approached within the ten feet mark. The man seemed to be a rather unassuming fellow, aside from his physical height. Standing quite tall, there was an imposing element to the man who approached, but he seemed to do so without a hint of malevolent intent. As such, Zhou could not help but feel a little bit excited at the prospect of having this man along for the ride. Zhou took a step forward aknowledging his presence, as he attentively listened to each and every word which was being said by the enigmatic stranger, whom, though his intimidating visage, seemed to be dressed in the most basic of garments. Stepping up and reaching out an arm to welcome the new commer, Zhou's smile was apparent, his kind, and confident demenour more than identifiable. "Haha, it was that obvious huh? Well, I am in need of a little help, See, I don't know if you heard about it, but the Syliran knights uhm... 'dispatched' a group of highwaymen earlier this morning. I'm no genius, but, there is more than likely the remnants of their camp there. I was thinking about checking it out, seeing if there is anything thing there worth using. It would probably be basics, not much more, but, I would rather not go alone, the areas out there can be a little dangerous. Wildlife and the likes not being particularly friendly. If you were to come with, just for backup, I would share anything there with you fairly based on our individual needs! Theives and murderers don't deserve a legacy, I don't think. What say you? They may have left some interesting things behind also. " He spoke with a bold and untampered charisma, the kind which might one day birth into the type of inspiration eloquence which could amass armies, corrupted by youth but waning in its later years as it refined ever more with each and every passing day. Zhou watched him for his reactions, looking to his face for any sense of disapproval, hoping there would be none, the resources of the camp would likely go to the markets to be resold, which, more or less meant that Zhou would not bee able to purchase them. The only thing which Zhou could not recommend for the sake of this mission was taking a hold of any weapons they had used, the knights would surely be back for those and would add them to the city's armoury. Zhou folded his arms and moved his weight to his back foot while he waited, cocking his head curiously to the left as he attempted to analyse this person further. Zhou was never the best at reading expressions, though, there was no better time to start. However the bold nature of the Inarta entailed that it would be quite easy to discern that Zhou was judging the individual. moving a hand to tuck some of the plats behind his ear, causing a slight jingle among the glass beads which were wrung through them.

[Garland]

Garland rode behind his patron, the wind blew through his hair but he knew that they weren't going as fast as they could go. Catherine was going slower for Garland, since he still wasn't used to riding a horse. "Where are we going? Sera?" He yelled out to her.

The sound of crackling leaves and heavy hoofsteps on the stone pavement drowned out his voice but Catherine could still barely hear him. "Campsite, deep in Broze Woods." She replied and slowed down to a trot. "We have plenty of time to get there, its not like anyone else will be there." She added, simply. It was going to be a slow day for them.

Beside, weapons were the only things that were left there, maybe a few strange knick-knacks or goods left there but probably not much. Garland had matched Catherine's speed and smiled at her. "Its nice just riding here and not crashing into things." He said, both of them are making their way through Syliras proper and soon through the gates.

[Lasken Tolstoy]

"Well what're we waiting for the next valerian incident? let's go get that treasure before someone else beats us to it" Lasken said to the inartan in a somewhat sarcastic tone, Lasken was eager to get his hands on treasure eager to get going, maybe even eager to make a new friend either way he had no idea where they were going.

[Zhou]

Zhou nodded, his smile broadening as he began to take flight, with a spring in his step he began off at a run before slowing to a paced jog down the main road and toward the city entrance, rolling his shoulders when it came to avoiding civilians he made his way for the entrance in silent affirmation of him leading the way. It was at this point Zhou wished desperately that he had a horse, it would make life here vastly more handle-able, and shorten his travel time as well as being able to use it to carry game he had caught back to Mithryn Outpost. It was not a long amount of time before they reached the city gates, only to see two interesting people moving toward the exit. Someone who appeared to be a squire or trainee of the Syliran knights travelling on horseback with another. Probably on task from the other knights for one reason or another... But Zhou could not help but be a little curious. And his eyes were drawn to the blade which he carried on his back, he was looking for an 'in' when it came the knighthood, and perhaps this person was just the in he needed... Slowing to walk not ten feet from their horses, keeping up he waved at them, "Hark, friend! Where are you headed?" Zhou spoke with his usual sum of confidence and gusto. He seemed to be wearing light armour, and of a reasonably muscular build, which was somewhat expected of a knight who trained in his field-mail most days. Zhou spent the time the knight would answer observing him and his travelling companion, attempting to gauge their equipment, but, it would more or less come off as him idolizing their stature and affiliation with the knight-hood. "I see you bear the signs of my favorite hallmark, I'm Zhou, It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He said with his tone becoming brighter and more lively with each waking moment as he insinuated to his own curved bastard sword which nearer'd a little longer than most, signifying himself as a warrior of sorts. Moving then to scratch the roof of his head, looking out to wide open areas beyond the walls, awaiting for the man who was coming up behind him. Zhou showed every sign of being a hunter with the drive to become something far more if someone were to but notice it... Hopefully, Zhou's own companion would in turn engage in the conversation, when it came to the woods, the more the merrier. The last thing Zhou wanted to encounter there alone was a pack of dires, with blood being shed there earlier, predators would likely smell the blood and be crawling over the site looking for food. Three or four people would more than likely be ideal for the situation with all of these possible things considered. And so Zhou kept walking along beside them, after greeting he did not hesitate to move a little closer to the horse, which only reinforced his longing for one of the great beasts himself... he wanted one so badly... Zhou would leave Lasken to introduce himself, should he will it, but, hopefully he would recognize Zhou's further attempts to bolster their own ranks. Completely ignorant of the fact that the seemed to be moving as a group in the same direction regardless of Zhou's attempts to acquire more aid to their cause. As Zhou's mind moved ahead of him thinking of the dangers, he came to the conclusion that even if there was nothing left to take from the site, the beasts which surely would be lured to the location would likely fetch a high price for their carcasses. Though, as Zhou would need to employ the use of their horses, the profits, for the sake of equity would need to be split each way evenly.

[Garland]

Garland noticed the Inartan moving closer to him. He seemed friendly enough. "Greetings, friend. We're headed to the Bronze Woods, a band of highwaymen were apprehended earlier and we are suppose to retrieve any items or weapons that have been left there." Garland said truthfully.

"Why don't you tell everybody! Shessh. Anyway, that's true, we're going to retrieve goods that were stolen, and use them for the knights. Of course its fair game for anyone to take anything if you want, but weapons should be given to the knights for the armory." Catherine added with a small sigh, annoyed by her squire.

Garland noticed that all of them were going in the same direction. His Inarta friend looked as if he was more of a mercenary than a hunter, he would make a good knight, but he didn't know the man too well, and the knights would rather have a squad of good knights than an army of bad ones.

"Are you perhaps a hunter or a mercenary?" Garland asked, Zhou's sword was interesting to say the least. "Nice weapon there. Where are you going, friend? Hunting?"

The air was cool and fresh as their horses trot slowly on the road. He had gotten a bit better at riding but he's no where near good enough. He was lucky to be even able to ride this horse after the first time he rode on this particular horse.

[Lasken Tolstoy]

Lasken, refused to speak he never spoke in situations like this, but just because he was quiet didn't mean he couldn't communicate in other ways so Lasken took an intimidating posture his face remaining concealed by his hat. Lasken didn't like the way the squires mentor spoke her attitude rubbed him the wrong way and Lasken made sure to let her know that with the stance he had taken and by the tight grip he had on his shortsword. Lasken thought to himself "Knight or not her status gives her no right to look down on others" if the knight made a move he could easily overpower her if his inartan companion helped other then these thoughts Lasken stood as still and silent as a statue.

[Zhou]

Zhou looked to the Knights, he was lucky that these two seemed to be a little more open to people who were looking to gain from the long stolen goods of career criminals. Zhou listened to the exchange between the two knights, trying to get somewhat of a feel for not only what they were saying, but attempting to gain some insight into the relationship between the two of them. They seemed to speak boldly with each other, so, that, to Zhou, meant that in some way shape or form they were likely close, or had known each other for some time. It was valuable information, and something which would well be worth knowing in the future, especially if he saw them together additional times. Zhou smiled at the thought of being a mercenary, bowing his head and chuckling a little toward the earth before looking up at the one who had spoken such. "Ah, no, I'm no mercenary, though that being said, I'm not beyond doing some work with the Knight-hood should it ever be offered, So, feel free to remember my name. I'm more of a hunter and a tracker, but I'm looking to expand my horizons. And yeah, the blade is rather nice, at least in my opinion. It was made by my father before I left home, he's a smith and glass worker at the outpost, probably one of the last weapons he will make in his time. As now his work seems to be more making farm implements for the workers and iron and steel ingots for trade with other smiths. Honest work, I guess it would be called. " Zhou spoke plainly, not putting on heirs or graces when talking with the knights. Speaking as though they were just other people, like meeting a friend in the street. Looking to his companion who was being rather quiet at this point, Zhou noticed the slight look of discomfort cross his face as he perhaps wondered why he would have a distaste for the knighthood, and if he were to have a distaste, what the cause could be, and how it could be sorted out... Zhou at this point, no longer had a feeling he would need to guard his words around the Knight and her Squire companion, not thinking about his words in the slightest before they were spoken, he continued to explain. "The two of us are heading in the same direction. It's an opportunity, though, as there are dangers in that area, it being a bit further from the reach of the knighthood. I would recommend us perhaps move as a unit, Dire beasts and the like are known to prowl that area, and though the sun hangs high in the sky, bathing down its golden light.. with the scent of fresh spilled blood, beasts like that may be drawn to the smell and promise of meat." However, though Zhou spoke of danger and dark things, his features did not waver from confidence, as if he felt himself to be this beacon of skill and prowess, bordering overconfidence. His unwavering conviction could be considered proud very easily, however in truth, there was no malice or intent behind it at all. It was ignorance that was to blame for his misaligned pre-conceptions of the world. He had not been in a scenario which would risk the lives of others, as things stood. A life lived sheltered by the very knights he stood beside, whom always seemed to be able to diffuse any situation before it exploded out of control. Even now, two of these knights stood beside him, giving Zhou the confidence and the knowledge that nothing could go wrong...